March 13, 2015

No, this isn’t Zoe and I! This is from Casey Leigh Wiegand, who I follow on Instagram. Her images are pretty dreamy. They really have a sense of calm. She had been playing around with different kinds of braids and posted this and this one on Instagram.

If I ever had long enough hair, this is how I would do my braid. It’s messy, not fussy and looks deceptively easy to do. Thank you, Casey Leigh Wiegand!

February 22, 2015

If you haven’t been to Ikea lately, you must see their new Paper Shop collection. Just when you didn't think Ikea could best themselves any more than they have, they've done it again. I am a paper girl (read: Filofax, pencils and stickies are my thing), and I’m obsessed with their range of wrapping paper, pens, notepads and paper décor to hang from the ceiling. My faves are the cubes of note paper, and I think I'll use their gift boxes to keep my desk at work organized. After you take a look at the photos here, drive fast to your nearest Ikea but take care not to speed!

February 15, 2015

People used to say to me, “Don’t you remember last winter (2013)? It was one of the worse winters we’ve had.” As hard as I try, I don’t remember. That’s because I was never forced to step out in inclement weather with my 1.5 year old. Both of us shielded from the cold and snow entertaining ourselves at home.

Fast forward to a 2.5 year old who now goes to preschool. She and I now move among the daily commuters heading to school and work. She sits in her UPPAbaby stroller, so I can walk at a brisk pace before descending into the subway. The weather has turned colder, so I purchased Manitoba’s universal rain and wind stroller cover. It’s a lifesaver, and we call it the “rocketship” so she’ll be excited to crawl in. More on this cover in another post. Winter is here, and naturally one anticipates snow. Here’s my dilemma: I’ve never had to push a stroller in snow before. Will my UPPAbaby or City Mini go through snow or will she need to walk to school?

I decided that if we’re both walking in one or more feet of snow among fast-moving cars, I need to have both hands free and be as unencumbered by totes and handbags as possible. I have begun looking into backpacks. If you’ve read my past post on the subject, you know I have an uneasy relationship with backpacks. They’re not quite my style yet they are truly functional allowing you to move about freely without the bag-lady chaos or purses falling off shoulders.

As I searched and scrolled around, I began collecting some that I liked onto a Pinterest board. My backpack identity is zero, so I wanted to rummage around and figure out what I was most attracted to. I began to notice a common theme emerge: structural, compact and somewhat tight to the body. Let’s see what I end up with!

February 5, 2015

Hello? Hi there! It’s been a long while, and I’ve so, so missed writing. I hadn’t had the time to focus on writing, since my last post on September 11. After some time freelancing, I landed a fantabulous role as the design editor at This Old House magazine. It’s been a revitalizing and exciting move for me. I love working on renovation projects, as well as missions, such as our new website dedicated to millennials titled, The Snug.

So, what has been happening on the life front since my last post? Here are a few visuals:

Hiking in Mohonk where we gathered boughs and found baby pinecones. Before the winter, I bought Zoe a Hawke & Co winter coat. In the beginning, she would yelp out of nowhere at odd times. The reason remained a complete mystery to me until I took off the coat, and she looked like a plucked chicken. She was yelping because the quills were poking her. Those quill tips are sharp! This coat shed like this every time we took it off. A couple coming out of the coat makes sense but 20? Needless to say, I'm unhappy with this little torture chamber.

In December, we photographed Kimberlee Paige Hanson’s kitchen for the July issue. A gorgeous bowl of compost was sitting there when we arrived, and we begged Kimberlee not to toss it; Kimberlee’s weimaraner, Nutmeg asking for attention; a collection of utensils scored at flea markets; and I inadvertently made our stylist, Jennifer Vreeland work on her birthday.

Christmas tree shopping in Florida with a spontaneous frolic in the beach sand

September 11, 2014

I didn't read all 200-something reviews on the Slimpack but it's hard to believe my size 7 foot is different from anyone else's size 7 foot!

Last winter, I ordered the Joan of Arctic in a 6.5 after reading that the boot ran big. It was too small but I also thought it was way too clunky and too much boot for me, so it got returned. I decided to order the Slimpack next in a 7 because it had an urban style with its leather shaft yet warm and winterproof. The 7 was still too small! Keep count: this is return #2. I spoke to customer service, and was told different styles were sized differently. Because it was the end of the winter, they ran out of sizes, so I had to wait until the summer when Slimpack was restocked.

Fast forward to summer 2014, I order Slimpack in 7.5. STILL too small. Really? I also needed someone to help pull them off me. Return #3. I couldn't believe I had to order a size 8 but I did. They came, and they were still too small. Do these sizes go up by centimeters?? I even tried them on with thin socks and I could see my big toe poking through the rubber front. I called customer service because I really needed guidance and counseling because I truly was tired of going to the post office. At this point, I was determined to own a pair of Slimpack boots. She suggested going to a size 9, especially if I was going to wear thick socks. I was worried they would swim on me around the calf. I did order the 9s, and they fit. Let's not forget Return #4, however. So the 9s stay. I can wear thick socks, I can remove the boots on my own, and they aren't over bulky in the calf area.

Overview: I will love my Slimpacks and use them well in NYC winters. However, I'm hesitant to make another Sorel purchase because I never ever want to return four pairs of footwear again.

September 9, 2014

Nothing like an email alert from JetBlue 3am the morning of a family flight bound for a vacation in Florida. A big storm was threatening, and the airline suggested we change our flights because of possible delays and cancellations. We decided to head to the airport anyway.

A Car Service Named Uber

We used the car service, Uber, which utilizes this great phone app: they have your credit card info, so no money or tip is exchanged, you can see the name and photo of your driver, and a little car icon pops up on a map showing them moving through the streets towards their destination. I noticed there was no carseat in the back when he pulled up, which we had requested through the app. The driver then opens the trunk, pulls out an approximately 18” x 18” compact square, unfolds it, and turns it into a carseat. No bulky plastic, it attached securely to the seat and held her in tightly. It was brilliant, and it was called Immi. It’s only available to the car service industry but the innovation is interesting.

Getting Some R&R…Not!

Thankfully, the trip out went along without a hitch. However, vacation with a toddler is what keeps me young and fit. Let’s face it, I’m burning calories. The days of sitting still, pondering, dozing, sunning, staring at my pedicure in a lost moment of thought…are gone. The child website, BabyCenter sends me weekly emails about the developmental stages for my child that I can expect for that particular week. This week it asked, “What's a reasonable length of time to expect your preschooler to sit still?” The answer, “A good rule of thumb for normal attention span is three to five minutes per year of age.” So, that would be an entire 10 minutes.

Flipbooks and Tattoos

On family vacations, it’s all about the thrill of exposing your child to new stimulation, to see, hear, feel and smell a new environment. That makes it all worth it. The kiddie pool was a big hit, the beach sand and tide were not. Naps were not popular but she loved getting a glitter tattoo and watching the tortoise feeding. The resort we stayed at hosted a carnival-like event with giant bouncy houses and blow-up slides. Zoe was too small for these activities but we were first in line for a flipbook, which is the most fun thing in the world. If you never let your hair down, let it be in front of a 7-second camera with a feather boa and carnival hat. The only other activity not occupied by the 6+ crowd was the beanbag toss. Zoe opted to stand over the hole and drop the beanbag in. She scored 5 out of 5. Good girl!

September 5, 2014

I’m a Starbucks poser because I don’t really need coffee. It’s a luxury for me, a perk, a treat maybe once a month because it’s yummy. I’ve been known to walk into Starbucks and ask for a “small.” I’ve had trouble fitting into their culture. When I stand in line, I admit I practice what I’m going to say over and over in my head. I get a little apprehensive like I’m heading to a public speaking event. Why wouldn’t I when the person in front of me is ordering a, “Venti Iced Skinny Hazelnut Macchiato, Sugar-Free Syrup, Extra Shot, Light Ice, No Whip?”

My husband isn’t a coffee drinker either. He’s a hot chocolate lover. Here’s a series of conversations in chronological order in various Starbucks around the city just to order good ol’ fashion hot chocolate.

September 4, 2014

I'm always chomping on the bit to see what comes out next in Ikea's collection. Their global design team usually makes me say the following things: “That reminds me of that XX antique I once saw,” or “…that piece of furniture comes in all those colors?” or “I can get that for that price?” Whether it’s a small or large item, there’s usually some small detail that makes an impression. Here are a few examples that make all the difference in my book for this new season!

{1} Jane Austen comes to mind when I spot a secretary, as well as hidden panels with love letters stuffed inside.

{2} Clearly, I have the 18th century on the brain because wing chairs are a classical piece of furniture that make a statement.

August 13, 2014

{ }Café Katja – Their Emmentaler Sausage dish is accompanied by savoy cabbage and quark dumplings. I felt certain I wouldn’t have room for dessert. To my surprise, it was not only the lightest cheese sausage I’ve ever had the pleasure of consuming but I had the stamina to finish dessert too!

{ }Vanessa’s Dumplings – The space here is probably 4x the size of the average dumpling hole-in-the-wall. And, it’s packed on a daily basis. Favorites on my list include the cabbage & pork boiled dumplings, noodles with meat & bean sauce and a side of Shanghai bok choy.

{ }Ivan Ramen – The much talked about ramen house infiltrates the quiet indie street of Clinton, which is also the home of soon-to-shutter, WD-50. Hands down, I had the best ramen here with its thick, tasty bowls of dashi, a broth made of seaweed and dried bonito. You will be tempted to order your bowl “Fully Loaded” giving you an egg, extra pork chashu and two roasted tomatoes. Do it!

{ }Malt & Mold – A sweet, tiny tailored shop sits on the quiet end of East Broadway specializing in artisanal beers and well-curated cheeses. You’ll also find all the accoutrements to complete this nosh-fest, such as pickles, chocolates, cured meats and crackers. I see fare for the perfect picnic emerging, don’t you?

{ }The Sweet Life – If you’re looking for a candy shop less nostalgic than Economy Candy and less PR-powered than Dylan’s Candy, head to The Sweet Life. You’ll find sweets that are organic, treats from 10 European countries, and baking ingredients to make your own recipes at home.

{ }Spitzer’s Corner – Sit communal-style at long tables and benches at this popular American gastropub. During the summer, the windows open, and it’s some of the most relaxing people-watching you can get on the Lower East Side. Choose from 40+ beers that go splendidly with their Truffle Mac & Cheese or Kobe Sliders.

{ } Top Hat – You’ll have fun perusing this tiny trinkets and home goods boutique, if you like trinkets with a modern, global edge. Scope out the shop’s eclectic collection of textiles, quirky calendars and Japanese washi tape. They don’t have a website but you can find them at 245 Broome Street, 212-677-4240.

{ }The Tenement Museum – New York’s story of immigration is a fascinating one, and you can begin at this museum to learn about life on the Lower East Side in the 19th and 20th centuries. Check the schedule for neighborhood walks, tenement building tours and free discussions and screenings at the museum.

{ }Morgenstern’s Finest Ice Cream – Pastry extraordinaire, Nick Morgenstern opens his first ice cream shop. He uses a European ice cream machine to whip up his egg-free {yes egg-free} ice cream. Burnt Honey Vanilla, Vietnamese Coffee, Black Ass Licorice {not a typo} and Green Tea Pistachio are just some of the flavors that will turn you into that very indecisive person yet.

{ }Russ & Daughters Café – The fourth generation Russ cousins open up an offshoot of the family business serving up kippered salmon, white sturgeon and matjes herring. The bar serves up wine, old-fashioned egg creams, Bloody Marys and cucumber soda, which pair well with the artisanal rye bread and potato and onion knishes also on the menu.

August 11, 2014

I recently came across a most beautiful idea that took place last year. It was the brainchild of Kinfolk Magazine, which celebrates the simplicity of good food and good company seen through gorgeous photography. The idea was a Flower Potluck, an event they hosted in 22 cities and towns. A simple meal was provided, while the guests each came bearing bounties of florals, leaves, foliage and flowering branches: freshly picked, store-bought, flower crowns and floral bowties! At the end, everyone took home a mixture of what everyone had brought. Imagine going to a party, and being surrounded by beautiful blooms and nature? I can’t help to think this is such a thoughtful, elegant and sincere way to host a social gathering with family and friends! Here’s a guide on how to start your own.